Package with Divider to Separate Contents, and Method of Filing the Package at High Speed

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a divider for packaging applications. The divider can separate products in the package into a plurality of groups, and can also contain relevant information about the products, as is required in the case of packaging tampons. The present disclosure also provides a method of packaging a plurality of products, using the divider.

1 . A package having a package body having an opposable top, a bottom, and a wall, to define an interior space, said interior space for receipt of a plurality of products, and a divider in said interior space, wherein said divider separates said products into at least two separate groups of products, and wherein said divider has information relating to said products printed thereon, said information being displayed prominently when the package body is opened. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said divider has a body and a flag, and wherein said flag is connected to said divider body with a perforated edge. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said information is on at least one of said divider body and said flag. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said flag bends over one of said at least two groups of products, so that a view of said plurality of products is at least partially obstructed when said package is open, for prominent viewing of said flag. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said flag is detachably connected to said divider body. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said products are tampons. 
     
     
         7 . A method of filling a package with a plurality of products, comprising:
 providing the plurality of products to a feeder;   separating the plurality of products;   placing each of the separated products into a desired orientation;   individually wrapping each of said separated products, to form a plurality of wrapped products;   collating a number of said wrapped products into a group of products;   storing a second number of said groups of products in a buffer; and   placing two of said groups of products in said package,   wherein during said placing step, a divider is inserted between said groups of products.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein during said collating step, each of said groups of products are conveyed to said buffer with a conveyor, said conveyor having a plurality of pairs of paddles thereon, wherein a distance between the two paddles in each of said pairs of paddles remains constant as said conveyor conveys said groups of products to said buffer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein between said storing and said placing step, the method further comprises:
 placing a first of said groups of products in a container;   placing said divider over said first group of products; and   placing a second of said groups of products over said divider.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said each of said first and second groups of products are leveled after being placed in said container.